Beaufort County Background Check

Beaufort County is in eastern North Carolina, with its county seat in Washington. The county stretches along the Pamlico River and includes a mix of rural land and waterfront communities. Public records here, from criminal cases to court filings, are managed by the Clerk of Superior Court and the Sheriff's Office. A Beaufort County background check can be done at the local courthouse, through the sheriff, or via statewide databases run by the NC State Bureau of Investigation. This page covers the main offices, tools, and steps for searching records in Beaufort County.

Beaufort County Sheriff's Office

The Beaufort County Sheriff's Office is led by Sheriff Scott Hammonds, a veteran of the NC Army National Guard. The office is at 210 McNair St in Washington, NC 27889. You can call them at (252) 946-7111. The sheriff's office is organized into several divisions: Patrol, Criminal Investigation Division (CID), School Resource Officers, Court Services, and Detention.

Here is the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office website.

Patrol deputies cover the county around the clock. The CID handles felony investigations and works with state and federal agencies on major cases. Court Services deputies provide security at the courthouse and transport inmates. The detention division runs the county jail.

The sheriff's office keeps records of all arrests made within the county. If you need to verify an arrest or check on an active warrant, this is a direct resource.

Background Check at Beaufort County Courthouse

The Beaufort County Clerk of Superior Court manages all court records for the county. This includes criminal cases, civil suits, and special proceedings. The eCourts system went live in Beaufort County in January 2024 as part of Track 3, making digital case lookups easier than before.

Below is the Beaufort County page on the NC Courts site.

Visitors can use self-service terminals at the courthouse for a free, non-certified search. This covers cases filed in Beaufort County only. A certified search requires Form AOC-CR-314 and a $25 fee. Court staff can walk you through the process during business hours.

Note: The eCourts digital system has been active in Beaufort County since January 2024.

Beaufort County Government

The Beaufort County government website is a central hub for county services and contact details. The main county phone number is (252) 946-0079. From this site, you can find links to the Register of Deeds, the tax office, and other departments.

Here is the Beaufort County government homepage.

Property records, vital records, and other public filings are all accessible through county offices. Chapter 132 of the NC General Statutes ensures that most government records are open to the public.

Statewide Background Check Options

For a search that goes beyond Beaufort County, the NC State Bureau of Investigation provides statewide criminal record searches. The SBI was founded in 1937 and serves as the central repository for criminal history in North Carolina. Their Computerized Criminal History File holds records from all 100 counties.

Name-based searches are the fastest option. Fingerprint-based searches take longer but are more reliable. The SBI uses SAFIS, the Statewide Automated Fingerprint Identification System, to match prints against its database. This removes the risk of mixing up records for people with the same name. Chapter 114 of the NC General Statutes governs how the SBI collects, stores, and shares criminal justice data.

Free Beaufort County Record Tools

Two free online databases can add depth to a Beaufort County background check:

• The NC Sex Offender Registry shows registered offenders by name or area
• The NC DPS offender search lists current and former state prison inmates
• Self-service courthouse terminals provide free, non-certified case lookups
• The SBI Right to Review lets you check your own criminal history

All of these tools are open to the public. The sex offender registry is maintained by the SBI and updated regularly. The DPS offender search covers the state prison system and can show sentences, release dates, and current status for inmates. These free resources are a good complement to a formal background check.

Beaufort County Background Check Process

To run a background check in Beaufort County, choose the method that fits your needs. A free courthouse terminal search is the simplest option. A certified county search with Form AOC-CR-314 costs $25 and produces an official record. The SBI statewide search covers all of North Carolina. Fingerprint checks are the most thorough.

Expunged records will not appear in any standard search. If you think a record should be expunged, the typical filing fee is $175. It may be waived for dismissed charges. Legal Aid of North Carolina at 1-866-219-5262 offers free help with expunction questions.

Visiting the Beaufort County courthouse in Washington is simple. The building is in the downtown area near the waterfront. Parking is close by. Bring a valid ID when you go. The self-service terminal is in the clerk's office area. You search by name or case number. Results come up fast. The screen shows charges, court dates, and case outcomes. You can print what you see, but the prints are not certified. For a certified copy, fill out Form AOC-CR-314 at the clerk's window and pay the $25 fee.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send the form, your payment, and a stamped return envelope to the clerk. Most mail requests are processed in about a week. Call (252) 946-0079 if you need to check on a request. Because Beaufort County is in eastern North Carolina, some people have ties to nearby counties like Pitt or Craven. A local search only covers Beaufort County cases. The SBI statewide search fills that gap by pulling records from all 100 counties at once. Using both methods gives you the most complete picture.

Note: Combining a county search with a statewide SBI check gives the broadest view of available records.